By AFPMore by this AuthorBRISBANECoach Michael Cheika said Australia were improving and would be ready to take on New Zealand in the Rugby Championship after fighting off Italy 40-27 on Saturday. Late tries to Bernard Foley and Reece Hodge staved off the threat of a second shock defeat following last week's loss to Scotland, after Italy had narrowed the scores to 28-27 with 10 minutes left. Australia's next game is against New Zealand on August 19, but Cheika was upbeat about their chances against the world champions. Italy, the Six Nations wooden-spooners, came into the match after consecutive losses to Scotland and Fiji and without a win against Australia in their 16 previous meetings. Five minutes after the restart Naivalu crossed for his second following some slick backline work from the Wallabies, including a between-the-legs pass from Foley.

Source: Daily Nation June 24, 2017 08:48 UTC